The Departed (2006)

An undercover cop and a mole in the police attempt to identify each other while infiltrating an Irish gang in South Boston.

Director:

Martin Scorsese

Writers:

William Monahan (screenplay), Alan Mak

Stars:

Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson

Top Rated Movies #45 | Won 4 Oscars. Another 94 wins & 139 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Leonardo DiCaprio	...	Billy
Matt Damon	...	Colin Sullivan
Jack Nicholson	...	Frank Costello
Mark Wahlberg	...	Dignam
Martin Sheen	...	Queenan
Ray Winstone	...	Mr. French
Vera Farmiga	...	Madolyn
Anthony Anderson	...	Trooper Brown
Alec Baldwin	...	Ellerby
Kevin Corrigan	...	Cousin Sean
James Badge Dale	...	Trooper Barrigan
David O'Hara	...	Fitzy (as David Patrick O'Hara)
Mark Rolston	...	Delahunt
Robert Wahlberg	...	Lazio - FBI
Kristen Dalton	...	Gwen

Storyline

In this crime-action tour de force, the South Boston state police force is waging war on Irish-American organized crime. Young undercover cop Billy Costigan is assigned to infiltrate the mob syndicate run by gangland chief Frank Costello. While Billy quickly gains Costello's confidence, Colin Sullivan, a hardened young criminal who has infiltrated the state police as an informer for the syndicate is rising to a position of power in the Special Investigation Unit. Each man becomes deeply consumed by their double lives, gathering information about the plans and counter-plans of the operations they have penetrated. But when it becomes clear to both the mob and the police that there is a mole in their midst, Billy and Colin are suddenly in danger of being caught and exposed to the enemy - and each must race to uncover the identity of the other man in time to save themselves. But is either willing to turn on their friends and comrades they've made during their long stints undercover?

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Plot Keywords:

police | mobster | irish mafia | organized crime | violence | 

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Taglines:

Cops or Criminals. When you're facing a loaded gun what's the difference?

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong brutal violence, pervasive language, some strong sexual content and drug material

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English Cantonese

Release Date:

6 October 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Departed

Filming Locations:

Fore River Ship Yard, Quincy, Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$90,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$26,887,467, 8 October 2006

Gross USA:

$132,384,315

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$291,465,034

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Plan B Entertainment, Initial Entertainment Group (IEG)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

151 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

On the DVD commentary for Gone Baby Gone (2007), Ben Affleck says that Jay Giannone, who has small roles in both films, was also the Boston accent coach for Leonardo DiCaprio in this movie.

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Goofs

(at around 38 mins) As the Providence thugs bodies are being photographed, the initial close-up shot of the body in tan trousers has the feet close together, right calf laying on the left ankle. In the subsequent full view, the legs are moved, with the left leg tucked up more so the right knee is laying over the left calf.

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Quotes

Billy Costigan: [During a therapy session] Is it to do some good to get somewhere personally or just for the fuck of it?
Madolyn: Well I expect some people do it to keep things on an even keel
Billy Costigan: So you had a parent who was a drunk?
Madolyn: Did you?
Billy Costigan: No
Madolyn: Let's keep it with you, talk about how you feel
Billy Costigan: There was a cop leaving when I came in, do you see cops?
Madolyn: That's part of what I do I don't normally see cadets who've just been kicked out of the academy
Billy Costigan: You should get a better job
Madolyn: Should I?
[...]

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Crazy Credits

The title doesn't appear on screen until nearly 20 minutes into the movie.

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Alternate Versions

In India, the Tamil and Telugu dubbed versions were cut before being given a UA (parental guidance) certificate for video release.

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Connections

Featured in 2007 MTV Movie Awards (2007)

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Soundtracks

Comfortably Numb
Written by David Gilmour and Roger Waters
Performed by Roger Waters, Van Morrison and The Band
Courtesy of Universal Music International (GB), under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Scorsese and his A-list cast make The Departed soar

When veteran director Martin Scorsese walked up to collect his Best Director Oscar in 2007 for his efforts with Hollywood remake The Departed, it felt like justice had finally been served.

After many a miss (hello Goodfellas, Taxi Driver, The Aviator, Casino etc. etc.), cinema fans breathed a sigh of relief when they saw the long-standing master finally get his just rewards and while it's hard to argue against the fact that The Departed is unlikely to be Scorsese's best work, it's one of his most easily accessible and fun films that remains a joy to watch to this day.

Utilizing a whip smart and darkly humorous script by scribe William Monahan, that adapted Asian mega-hit Infernal Affairs for English audiences and transported the action from Asia to the thick drawl of Boston, The Departed is one of the most successful reimagining's of all time thanks to the screenwriter, Scorsese's energetic and perfectly paced direction and a collection of stars who shine together in an all-round ensemble.

Front and centre of the cat and mouse game that sees an undercover mob affiliate infiltrate the Boston police department while simultaneously a Boston police office infiltrates the local mob, is lead trio Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson, who all deliver seriously fun and switched on turns with fantastic help from the likes of Vera Farmiga, Mark Wahlberg (in an Oscar nominated supporting turn), Alec Baldwin and Ray Winstone.

Scorsese struck it lucky with the casting of his 2006 film with both DiCaprio and Damon operating at the peak of their powers, while also snaring Nicholson before he fell into relative obscurity and it's a cinematic treat to see these performers eat up the rich and sassy dialogue and play off each other to great effect as the stories twisted and ever evolving plotline transforms.

The Departed is one of those rarely found films that continually stays on the move, barely allowing you time to stop and take a moments respite as DiCaprio's undercover cop Billy Costigan, Damon's undercover mob mole Colin Sullivan and Nicholson's purple adorned crime boss Frank Costello go about their respective lives, with Scorsese's film becoming a thriller that genuinely keeps you on the edge of your seat, culminating in one of the most unforgettable and at the times unexpected endings, that recalls many a wide jawed reaction for those that caught this classic in cinemas (myself included).

Final Say -

It's not Scorsese's best film but its absolutely one of his most enjoyable. The Departed may not offer anything deep and meaningful but this seriously addictive thriller is the type of cinematic ride we should all enjoy that rightfully ended up becoming one of the most memorable films of the mid 2000's.

4 ½ rat impressions out of 5